Back in 1894...

Saying that Jesus wasn't God...
But, was Just a Man...
Would have been "controversial" enough.

As for "proof" for the existence of Jesus...
Well...
The Church has only itself to blame for that.
After all...
Their own historical records show that...
They're the ones who gathered it all up...
And... Set it aflame.

So, if the man never existed...
What, pray tell...
Were they burning...?